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Tracey Lemon of the Waihi Beach Volunteer Fire Brigade was the fastest woman, completing the climb in 13 minutes and 57 seconds.

Ms Petrie's niece was supposed to fly from Wellington to meet Ms Petrie at the end of the climb but was in hospital after her temperature spiked last night.

"I'm absolutely gutted for her and disappointed that she wasn't able to be here," Ms Petrie told the Herald.

"It's heartbreaking for her and us. They were monitoring her all day yesterday and then her temperature spiked last night so she had to go into isolation at hospital.

"That's the reality of what she's going through. Doing this challenge is nothing compared to what her and her family have gone through."

Ms Petrie's niece needs two and a half years of tough treatments. She lives in Wellington and in the past six months has had to go to Christchurch Hospital's oncology department once a month for treatments.

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"It's really difficult for her and her family," Ms Petrie said. "She's now in the maintenance phase of treatment so she won't have to go to Christchurch as much but will still have to go in to Wellington Hospital."

Ms Petrie said she felt really nervous before the climb. Afterwards, she said it was "absolutely gruelling" but it felt fantastic to finish.

"It was very tough. When I got to the 41st floor, I thought, I've got this, only 10 more floors to go, and picked up the pace.

"I give it to the firefighters for what they do. It was really, really hot in all the gear.

"I'm really proud I didn't have to break.

"I was breathing fast, my back was sore; my legs weren't too sore but it could be a different story tomorrow."